Since 2008, the UCSF Bixby Center has conducted a major project to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)—intrauterine devices and the subdermal contraceptive implant—in the United States. These methods are safe for nearly all women to use, but providers do not routinely offer them and women have misinformation about them. Use of IUDs has increased in the last decade, but remains below the rates of other developed countries.

To explore ways to improve LARC access, the UCSF Bixby Center conducted a large national trial in partnership with 40 Planned Parenthood health centers—the UCSF and Planned Parenthood National Trial of Contraceptive Acceptability. The trial tested the impact of a clinic-wide training about LARC. The training included information geared for health educators, clinicians, front desk staff, clinic managers, and billing experts. Twenty health centers received the training intervention, and twenty control health centers offered standard care.